The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized 1 solar panel and 15 olive seedlings near ‘Urif. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Dura and Bayt Umar, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Hebron, injuring 13, including 5 with live ammunition and 8 with rubber-coated bullets; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces seized a caravan in Sabastiyya. 5 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Tarqumiyya and Jenin refugee camp; Israeli forces also seized a vehicle during a house raid in Aqraba. In East Jerusalem, 1 Israeli settler rammed Palestinians with his vehicle near the Old City, causing injuries; Palestinians were throwing stones at the vehicle but it was unclear what transpired before the ramming, which appeared in a video. Israeli settlers also attacked Palestinians in Shaykh Jarrah during a tour of the neighborhood by 2 Israeli lawmakers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich. Israeli forces attacked Palestinian worshipers with tear gas, sound bombs, and rubber-coated bullets at the Haram al-Sharif compound, injuring more than 305 people, including inside of al-Aqsa Mosque where a sound bomb caught a carpet on fire. Israeli forces prevented the Palestinian Red Crescent from entering the compound. Israel also reversed its decision from 5/9 to allow Jewish worshipers to enter the Haram al-Sharif compound for the Israeli celebration of Jerusalem Day. The Jerusalem Day march was later canceled by its organizers as Israeli police decided to prevent the settler march to go through the Damascus Gate plaza. Israeli forces also confiscated the keys to the al-Aqsa Mosque from the Islamic Waqf. Also at the Haram al-Sharif compound, Israeli police were filmed beating up an Israeli-accredited Palestinian journalist covering the events for Anadolu Agency. The Palestinian Red Crescent said that 612 Palestinians were injured throughout Jerusalem, including 333 who were hospitalized. In Gaza, Israeli started a military operation later dubbed “Guardian of the Wall” after Hamas fired rockets at Israel, giving Israel hours to leave the Haram al-Sharif compound. Hamas had earlier in the day warned Israel that it would fire rockets at 6 p.m. if Israel did not remove its forces from the holy places. 20 Palestinians were killed, including 9 children, and dozens were injured. The casualties included: 2, including 1 child, in 1 drone strike at Jabaliya; 10, including 6 children in 2 drone strikes at Bayt Hanun, with 32 others wounded, including 12 children; and 1, with 2 injured, in an Israeli air strike in Khan Yunis. 7 were also killed, including 1 child, and 34 were injured in Jabaliya in an explosion that was not conclusively attributed to an Israeli air strike. Additionally, damage was sustained in al-Bureij refugee camp, al-Qarara, and Rafah. In Israel, 1 Palestinian citizen of Israel was shot dead and 1 other injured by 1 Jewish-Israeli in Lydda; 3 Jewish-Israelis were arrested. Israeli forces later violently dispersed Palestinian-Israeli protesters at the Lydda city hall. In Ramla, Jewish-Israelis threw stones at Palestinian-Israelis and their property and set fire to trash cans. Israeli police dispersed Palestinian-Israeli protesters in Nazareth, Kafr Kana, Kafr Manda, Shefa-Amr, Majdal Krum, Dayr Khana, Umm al-Fahm, Baka al-Garbiyeh, Taiba, Jaffa, Haifa, and Jaljulya; 46 were arrested. The Knesset was evacuated after a rocket from Gaza landed in the vicinity of Jerusalem. (HA 5/9; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AX, FOX, GDN, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, MEE, MEE, MEE, MEE, MEMO, NYT, PCHR, REU, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/10; ALM, HA, HA, MEE, PCHR, PCHR 5/11; ALM, HA, WAFA 5/12; WAFA 5/19; MEE 5/21; NYT 5/26)

Israel closed all crossings to Gaza and the sea for fishing as collective punishment for rockets fired at Israel. (PCHR 5/10)

The PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh and the PA presidency condemned Israel’s attack on the Haram al-Sharif compound and called on the international community to take action. The PA civil affairs minister Hussein al-Sheikh said the Palestinian leadership is “examining all options to respond to this heinous aggression against the holy sites and the citizens.” PA president Mahmoud Abbas also discussed the situation with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/10)

Leader of the Ra’am (United Arab List) Mansour Abbas said that he had broken off contacts with Israeli opposition leaders Yair Lapid and Naftali Bennett just before he was to have a joint meeting with them, citing the violence in Jerusalem and Gaza. Mansour Abbas met with Naftali Bennett on 5/9. (ALM, HA 5/10; ALM, HA, MEMO, NBC 5/11)

Israel attacked Syria in the Quneitra region with a helicopter, injuring 1. (HA 5/10)

Iran confirmed that it is in direct talks with Saudi Arabia to resolve the issues between the 2 countries. A Saudi official confirmed the talks on 5/7. (AJ, HA, REU 5/10)

The U.S. said 1 of its Coast Guard ships had fired 30 warning shots at 13 Iranian vessels that came too close to the ship and 6 other U.S. navy vessels. Iran said that it was the U.S. that had acted recklessly in the encounter. (AJ, HA, REU 5/10; AP, MEMO 5/11)

UN security council members met at an emergency session to discuss the situation in Palestine-Israel. No statement was issued after the meeting. U.S. state department spokesperson Ned Price said that the U.S. administration wanted to make sure that a statement would “not escalate tensions.” Spokesperson Price also refused to say if the U.S. condemned the Israeli air strike that killed 9 Palestinian children, and suggested that Palestinians, contrary to Israelis, do not have the right to defend themselves, saying that only states recognized by the U.S. have that right. (HA, MEE 5/11)

Faisal Husseini and 40 delegation associates visit area in Khan Yunis, Gaza Strip, where homes were leveled by IDF 2/11 to offer sympathy, rally support for negotiations. Hamas and PLO supporters chant allegiance. (MM 2/17)

Pres. Mubarak meets with Chmn. Arafat in Cairo. (WT 2/20; MENA 2/17 in FBIS 2/17)

Israeli Aircraft Industries announces U.S. Def. Dept. has awarded them and American co. TRW a $240m contract to build 56 unmanned airplanes. Sen. Daniel Inouye (DHI) announces U.S. has budgeted $57m to improve Haifa port, which will serve as U.S. Navy's major regional anchorage. But as chmn. of Senate def. appropriations subcomm., he tells Israeli officials that they should prepare for a possible cut in U.S. foreign aid. (MM 2/17; WT 2/18)

Jordan appoints Shaykh Sulayman al-Jabari Mufti of Jerusalem. (MM 2/19)

Israeli justice min. announces that Shin Bet agent in charge when Mustafa 'Akkawi died under 2/4/92 interrogation has been disciplined. (WT 2/18)

IDF shoots 2 Palestinian youths dead in West Bank; another shot dead, while fleeing, 10 minutes after curfew, in Gaza City. (NYT 2/19)

Hizballah and Israeli, SLA forces engage in largest artillery battle of the year, killing 3 Islamic fighters, 2 other Lebanese. Israel shells up to 30 villages, including Nabatiyya. (MM, NYT 2/18)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Lod military court sentences 2 West Bank Palestinians to life for murder of Jewish couple near Jerusalem [WP, TS 11/22].

Arab World: Yasir Arafat and top aides, meeting in Baghdad, reiterate rejection of UN resolutions 242 and 338 [TS 11/22; MG 11/23].

Other Countries: Jonathan Jay Pollard, counterintelligence analyst for the U.S. Navy, is arrested by FBI on charges of spying and selling classified code information to Israel [NYT, WP 11/22].

Military Action

Arab World: Transmitters of the Christian Missionary Middle East Television station in S. Lebanon are blown up for second time in several months [JTA 11/25].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Dir.Gen. of For. Min. David Kimche states in press briefing that Israeli intelligence has "absolute, complete and irrefutable proof' that Yasir Arafat "knew about this [the Achille Lauro] operation before it was to begin" [WP, LAT 10/11]. Jerusalem Post reports arrest of members of alleged Fateh cell said to be responsible for recent spate of bombings in and around Jerusalem [JP 10/10]. Jerusalem Post cites report in al-Mithaq stating some Palestinian ex-prisoners released in the 5/20 prisoner exchange are asking for special consideration in their applications to West Bank universities; Najah U. has agreed to admit some despite low grades, while other universities have agreed to give them special entrance exams [JP 10/11]. Jerusalem shops close in general strike to protest "iron fist" policy in occupied territories which since its imposition in August has resulted in over 6 deaths, 21 deportations, over 80 administrative detentions without trial. Similar strike in Ramallah is forcibly ended by Israeli troops. Students at Birzeit and Bethlehem U. also strike [FJ 10/11].

Other Countries: Pres. Reagan tells reporters it would be "all right" for the PLO to try the 4 hijackers if Arafat has "kind of a national court set up, like a nation that they can bring them to justice." Later in the day, Nat. Sec. Adv. Robert McFarlane tells reporters Reagan "meant that he wants the PLO to tum these hijackers over to competent authorities for trial" [WP 10/11]. Sec. of St. George Shultz appeals to Senate Foreign Relations Committee to approve the proposed $1.9 billion arms sale to Jordan, calling it an "absolute necessity" for success in the M.E. peace process [CT, TS 10/1 1].

Military Action

Other Countries: U.S. Navy F-14 fighter jets intercept Egyptian plane carrying 4 hijackers and force it to land in Sicily; Italian authorities arrest the 4. White House spokesman Larry Speakes says the Egyptian plane was destined for Tunisia, but Tunisia had denied it landing rights. Speakes "categorically denies any deal" between the U.S. and Egypt on the interception. Speakes says the hijackers are in Italian custody but the U.S. will seek extradition [NYT, LAT 10/11]. Bodies of 2 men believed to be missing Israeli soldiers are found in Barcelona, Spain. Anonymous caller to Westem news agency claims the 2 were "Zionist sailors from the Zionist ship California" and that Fateh's Force 17 executed them on 10/5 [NYT 10/11].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Jerusalem court convicts David Ben-Shimol of murder in 10/28/84 rocket attack on Palestinian bus near Jerusalem, 9/22/84 grenade attack on E. Jerusalem coffeehouse; sentenced to life imprisonment [WP 4/18]. US Navy Sec. John Lehman indicates US to build submarines, missiles, patrol boats in coordination with Israel [JP 4/18]. Occupied territories observe Prisoners Day with meetings, visits to families of prisoners [FJ 4/19]. Democratic Front for Peace and Equality calls for closure of al-Fara'a prison in W. Bank [FJ 4/19].

Arab World: Lebanese Cabinet resigns in wake of fighting between Murabitoun, Palestinian fighters and Amal, PSP militias in Beirut [NYT 4/18]. UNRWA closes Beirut office in wake of fighting [MG 4/18].

Other Countries: UN Sec. Council approves (13-0, 2 abst.) extension of UNIFIL mandate in S. Lebanon until 10/19 [BG 4/18].

Military Action

Arab World: Action in Lebanon: Amal, PSP militias engage in heavy fighting with Murabitoun, Palestinian fighters in Beirut; Marabitoun effectively destroyed [NYT 4/19]. IDF planes bomb DFLP base in Bar Elias; no report of casualties [NYT, PI 4/18]. 3 IDF troops injured by roadside bomb near Kafr Kanna [MG 4/18]. Mine blast wounds 3 IDF soldiers in western occupation sector. IDF kill 3 resistance fighters in eastern occupation sector. IDF raid Shabriha, Shuhur; at least 4 arrested [JP 4/18]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Mossad ex-director Amit announces private project to launch Israeli communications satellite. DM Rabin tells Knesset Israel has abandoned idea of achieving political gains with IDF in Lebanon. Foreign Min. announces plan to send relief supplies to hunger-stricken Africa with financing by US Presidential Task Force on Intl. Private Enterprize.

Arab World: Rebel Palestinian guerrilla leader Sabri al-Banna (Abu Nidal) dies of heart attack in Baghdad. Palestine National Fund meets in San'a'. Egypt permits 1st nuclear-powered US Navy ship to pass through Suez Canal.

Other Countries: US Pres. Reagan wins reelection by landslide. Military Action: Lebanese & Palestinian fighters ambush "national guard" leader Mahmoud Tabajah in Ghassab Tadmin, S. Lebanon, killing him & 2 aides for working with IDF.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Jnaid inmates begin hunger strike against poor prison conditions. Israeli govt. imposes additional taxes up to 2% on private cars, boats, aircraft, business inventories, commercial bldgs. and equipment. Finance Min. Modai announces plan to cut basic food and fuel subsidies.

Arab World: 3 US Navy vessels arrive off Beirut as US Asst. Sec. of State Murphy arrives to investigate embassy annex bombing (9/20), then leaves for official visit to Damascus.

Military Action

Arab World: Lebanese resistance forces ambush IDF patrol near al-Rihan village, S. Lebanon; IDF patrol kills 3 suspected assailants. 5 commandos in rubber dinghy attack IDF post at Awali River bridge; 6 Israelis injured, 3 commandos killed by IDF tank fire, 2 captured. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Police arrest 300 Palestinian intinerant workers in Herzliya in move to prevent their gathering in Israeli residential areas. DM Rabin rejects West Bank settlers' demands that he expel Palestinians involved in acts against Jewish squatters. 4 Turkish MPs defy Ankara policy, meet FM Shamir in Jerusalem. Israeli police detain 30 Gazans, incl. (paralyzed) Shaikh A. I. Yassin suspected of Islamic Assoc. (Gaza) plot to execute 300 West Bank & Gaza notables.

Military Action

Other Countries: Israel delivers 12 Kfir jets on lease to US Navy.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Nablus Chamber of Commerce submits memorandum to "civil administration" outlining city's urgent social and economic problems; no response from authorities. 19 Palestinians arrested for stone-throwing during MK Kahane's attempted entry into Umm al-Fahm (8/29). Israeli troops raid Qalandiya refugee camp, detain several youths suspected of commandeering bulldozer from nearby quarry and flattening Israeli-built barrier at camp entrance.

Arab World: Druze leaders meet in Majd al-Shams (Golan) to demand dismissal of 30 teachers accepting Israeli ID cards. Chrmn. Arafat meets with French FM Cheysson in Tunis.

Other Countries: Chrmn. Arafat cables Chrmn. Truong Chinh on occasion of Vietnam's nat'l. day. 2nd anniversary of Reagan Middle East peace initiative. US Navy announces Israel will lend 12 Kfir jets on no-cost 4-yr. lease for use in combat training; Israel Aircraft Ind. will maintain jets for "firm fixed price."

Military Action

Arab World: Palestinian & Lebanese resistance detonate remote-control bomb as IDF patrol near Marjayoun, S. Lebanon, destroying jeep, wounding occupants.

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 25 Jewish terror suspects formally charged with membership in "terrorist organization"; suspects names remain secret. Musrara shopkeepers strike, Arab Chamber of Commerce (Jerusalem) meet to protest Israeli VAT collections, illegal under international law. West Bank military coordinator meets with Bethlehem & Beit Sahour mayors. Liberal Party votes to continue 19-yr.-old alliance with Herut.

Other Countries: At American Jewish Press Association conference US Sec. of Defense Weinberger reveals US Navy purchased Israeli-made pilotless planes. [Both US Navy and Air Force have own drone development programs and 10 US companies produce them.] US State Dep't. spokesman says Reagan admin. asked Congress to defer action on proposed 8,000-man Gulf strike force based in Jordan. US embassy in Colombo reports Sri Lanka [having severed relations with Israel in 1970] to allow limited Israeli presence there to train Sri Lankan counter-insurgency forces.

Military Action: Occupied Palestine/Israel:

Police raid several Ramallah shops, fining or closing them for lack of license.

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Bethlehem U. resumes classes after closure by Israeli military (11/2/83) during folklore festival there. Over 200 anti-Zionist Orthodox Jews protest corner-stone-laying ceremony at Emmanuel religious settlement; block 16 buses of Agudat Israel Party supporters planning to attend. In address to Israeli Federation of Contractors and Builders convention in Jerusalem, Shamir urges private builders to develop West Bank. Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Com. report new ultra-rightwing underground, stockpiling arms and planning to take over part of territories. Labor Federation leader Shehadeh Minawi released on IS5,000 bail after held for 24 hrs. on charges of arranging illegal conference in Jerusalem. About 20 S. Lebanon merchants meet with Israeli Industry and Trade Director in Jerusalem to discuss ways of improving trade.

Arab World: PLO Political Dep't. head Qaddoumi refuses proposal by some PLO Executive Com. members to replace Arafat. Mubarak warns new "strategic cooperation" will spell disaster for American friends in Arab world; other official Arab sources concur.

Other Countries: UK Labor Party dep. sec. Hattersley says his party admires Israel as "one of the greatest events of the 20th century," adding Labor's recent pro-PLO resolutions were only attempts to introduce "realism into the romantic." North American Palestinian community mtg. in Newark, NJ publicizes declaration reaffirming support for PLO and Arafat leadership.

MILITARY ACTION:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Violent exchanges in Jerusalem between extremist Zionist cells injerusalem, Birkat Avraham, Torat Kohanim and Shuva Banim yeshivot and Arab residents of Muslim Quarter when several students spray tear gas in eyes of young Palestinian man near his shop; neighbors retaliate with barrage of stones.

Arab World: 24 US jets strike in Chouf mountains and Metn region, hit 6 villages; US claims retaliation for Syrian anti-aircraft fire against yesterday's US flights over Lebanon; 2 US planes downed, 1 airman killed, 1 captured by Syria. US Navy spokesman says US reevaluating Syrian military capabilities. 

Military Action:

US Marines, Army officers make first reported visit to LAF positions at Souq al-Gharb, gather intelligence, consult on target coordinates; LAF adds 2 battalions to 4 already at Souq al-Gharb, US ships fire 40+ rounds at anti-government artillery and rocket batteries east of Yarze; SAM-5 reportedly fired at US Navy F-14 on reconnaissance flight over Beirut, no damage; Amal militia continues attack on LAF units south of Beirut.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: IDF reportedly will intervene in Lebanon fighting if PLO seeks to gain foothold south of Damour River line.

US and Other Countries: Reagan administration and Congressional leaders of both parties agree on compromise formula to authorize Marines to remain in Lebanon for further 18 months under War Powers Act, no change in number, role or deployment; US names new ambassadors to Lebanon, Saudi Arabia; Italy positions warplanes at British base on Cyprus to support its MNF contingent; British naval task force begins assembling in eastern Mediterranean.

Military Action:

Fighting continues at Souq al-Gharb, Aley, Beit Eddine and Deir al-Qamar; PSP forces capture Qabr Chamoun junction; shells fall in Khaldeh, Yarze, Baabda and other suburbs, and around airport, near US Marine positions; LAF engages Shi'ite militiamen in Beirut district of Chiah; US Navy warship fires first rounds of 5-inch shells at PSP artillery position near Chemlan, southeast of Beirut, Marines also return fire; US jet overflies village of Deir al-Qamar; IDF patrol crosses Awali River, removes roadblock at village of Amayle.

Casualties:

LAF reports 2 killed, 6 wounded; PSP accuses Phalange militiamen of killing 40 Druze civilians in Abey, near Qabr Chamoun; bomb destroys Islamic lUnification Movement sports club in Tripoli, 5 killed, 25 wounded.

Political Responses:

Palestinians/ Lebanese: McFarlane meets Gemayel, Wazzan in Beirut, Jumblatt in Damascus; Jumblatt says PSP forces will not fire on targets endangering MNF units.

Arab Governments: Saudi Arabia renews its diplomatic efforts toward a ceasefire, sends Prince Bandar Ibn Sultan to Damascus.

US and Other Countries: Rep. Clarence Long (D-MD) says he will seek legislative cut-off of funds for US MNF contingent unless Reagan seeks formal Congressional authorization under 1973 War Powers Act.